Revitalized Durrell Center Provides Showcase for Colorado State University

Denver, CO, May 21, 2014 - 4240 Architecture and its project team have received the SCUP/AIA-CAE Excellence in Architecture-Building Additions or Adaptive Reuse Award for Durrell Dining and Student Center at Colorado State University.

“Durrell Center is a magnificent transformation from what was recently perceived as timeworn to innovative,” states Rick Pott, CSU Housing & Dining Services, in his letter to the SCUP Award Jury. “We are exceptionally proud of the transformation of a dated late 1960’s building into a stellar showcase for Colorado State University.”

“This project designed itself. Good bones, good light and a bulletproof structure provided the canvas. Our work was a process of selective removal... eliminating the concrete moat surrounding the building’s exterior to bring the outdoors in, relocating the internalized egress stairs to the exterior to create a unified front door and welcoming first impression. The scabbed exterior ADA ramps were removed to allow for fully integrated, barrier free access and the heavily shaded ‘Darth Vader’ exterior glass was replaced with high transparency, high efficiency glazing,” describes Lou Bieker, Principal of 4240 Architecture.